Pigs

OUR APPROACH

Our kind of work. We’re like pigs in…..when it comes to pig health

We like nothing more than getting covered in mud and looking after pigs. And it’s important work too, as pigs can carry diseases called Zoonoses. These are nasties that can spread from pigs to humans...with potentially fatal consequences.

Leptospirosis is one such zoonotic disease. Symptoms can range from mild flu to multiple organ failure, even death. Another is Erysipelas rhusiopathiae or ‘Diamond Skin Disease’, a rather horrible nasty that causes infections on human skin.

If your pigs need attention because they aren't well or you would like to talk about keeping them well, please get in touch. We offer a number of other services for pigs, such as putting rings in their noses (using anaesthetic) vaccinations, nutritional supplements, wormers etc...you name it and we can help.

THE BENEFITS

Why VetSouth is a great choice

We're locals

We’ve been in the lower South Island for decades. It’s where we’re from and where we raise our families.

Wide network

We’re plugged into the Veterinary world and our team can call on expertise from all over the world, then deliver it locally.

Handy clinics

We’re close to you for consults, supplements, supplies...whatever you need. Pop on in or organise a delivery.

   

INNOVATION & RESEARCH

A never ending quest for improvement and advancement

Researching animal welfare and pathology is a passion we share, with our work being used by industry bodies such as Dairy NZ, the Sustainable Farming Fund and Beef & Lamb.

FURTHER READING

Latest news

Staff focus: Showing cattle

How many children were in your class at the event?    There were 12, all under 14 years old.   Did they all bring a heifer from home?  Yes, most of them had heifers there to compete at the GorRead more

Feeding senior working dogs

Senior working dogs benefit from special diets to support their aging bodies and ensure they have the energy for work and recovery. Ideally working dog diets should contain 25-30% carbohydrates,Read more

Salmonella impacts: A case study

A 550-cow dairy farm experienced a Salmonella outbreak in early May 2024.  Over the course of the outbreak, they had five cows die and 12 cows abort. They treated 20 cows with antibiotics andRead more

Southern Salmonella update

This increase coincided with the wettest spring on record, and other factors such as changes in feed, waterlogged paddocks, cold weather, carrier cows and exceptional stress on cows (and farmers) allRead more

Hind repro performance

Hinds on New Zealand deer farms normally reach puberty at around 16 months old. Hinds that have hit puberty by 16-months have a very good chance to conceive and calve at 24 months old. However, to beRead more

Winning at weaning

Here are some tips for each stage:  Pre-weaning  Make high quality feed available early on to encourage calves to transition onto this while their mothers are still around. This will help rumenRead more

The boys are back in town

If you haven’t, as March rolls in it’s the last call to finalise all your pre-tupping procedures. Your rams should be vet checked, body condition scored and shorn. Check their teeth and feet asRead more

Targeting trace elements

Vitamins and minerals have a big impact on the health of animals and their ability to perform to their best potential. Most farms will have a basic trace element supplementation plan for their stock,Read more

Treating a lame cow

Secure the leg.    Clean the foot with a hose.    Feel between the claws and all around the foot. Look for trapped stones and cracks, and examine the skin above the hoof for infection orRead more

Identifying lameness

New Zealand’s pasture-based dairy farming system, where cows graze in fields in all weather and walk fair distances along lanes to get to and from the milking shed, can increase the risk ofRead more

Worms more resistant

We completed nine reduction tests during the 2023-2024 season. All of the nine participating farms tested dual and triple drenches. Fewer farms tested single-acting and novel drenches. The graphRead more

Reflecting on a Salmonella spring

With such bad weather leading to large amounts of dirty surface water, limited feed and increased stocking densities, overall infection pressure and stress was much higher than usual. This caused aRead more
 

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